Basingstoke Local Group

BBAASSIINNGGSSTTOOKKEE LLOOCCAALL GGRROOUUPP

OCTOBER 2010 NEWSLETTER

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/basingstoke

Contents:

 From The Group Leader

 Notices

 North Wessex Farmland Bird Project

 Pin Badge Collection Scheme

 What’s Happening?

 October’s Outdoor Meeting

 November’s Outdoor Meeting

 September’s Outdoor Meeting

 Marsh-mellow Birding

 Local Wildlife News

 Quiz Page

A million voices for nature Charity registered in England and Wales no. 207076 From The Group Leader

Welcome to the October Indoor Meeting, Newsletter and the middle of the autumn.

How‟s the latter been for you so far? Has the weather stopped you from getting out, or have you used it to your advantage as the waifs and strays have been blown to our shores? Have Redwing and Fieldfare been heard overhead at night, have the Siskin and Lesser Redpoll visited your feeders yet and are „your‟ Robin being joined by extra birds from further afield? There‟s so much to see, or miss, at this time of year that it always rates as the best season for many, though spring is often at least more pleasant in how it treats us when we venture outdoors. Keep your eyes and ears open, who knows what you might bump in to about the Borough!

The Isle of Portland is our destination for the Outdoor Meeting this month, a place of stunning scenery, miles of walks to be taken in, and, of course, a hugely changing avifauna. Don‟t forget a weekend on the isle has being organised, so if you prefer a somewhat more sociable style of birding, have a word with Gerry Gardner (01189 – 700859), just in case you can be fitted in with those already to be attending. This will definitely be a day / weekend well worth that little extra distance to be covered.

As noted previously, please do keep in mind that although the Group is very much part of the RSPB „tribe‟ we are always looking for input from within as to how it can be improved, both for you, other Members, visitors and therefore, appropriately the Society and the habitats and wildlife we are all attempting to preserve. Even if you don‟t want to join the Committee (!!!) we would be more than pleased to hear from you at any stage; all such thoughts being presented to the Committee on a bi-monthly basis, if not earlier. Talk to us and we‟ll do what we can to keep things moving in the right direction!

Enjoy the meetings this month, look forward to those to be held as we head from the autumn to the winter, and we then move on to yet another year, and keep us all up to date with what you see, what interests you and what we can do to continue to motivate you in the future!

Peter E. Hutchins

Notices

Subscription Reminder

At the A.G.M. it was proposed, and accepted by the members, that there was a need to raise the subscription fees, this not having taken place for some years. These will now be £10 for adults, £9 for Senior Citizens.

Admission Charges Reminder

At the A.G.M. it was also proposed, and accepted by the members, that there was a need to raise these, as much to encourage visitors to join the Group as to raise extra funds. These will now be £1 for Group Members, £2.50 for non-Group Members.

Mid-week Walks

John Cahill has been good enough to organise some mid-week walks for the coming months. Please find below information relating to them:

Dinton Pastures Country Park on Thursday 4th November. Please meet in the Information Centre car park for a 10:00 start (SU 784 718, OS Landranger 175, RG10 0TH). Please note that there is a small fee for parking, this being £1 for four hours.

Fleet Pond on Thursday 2nd December. Please meet in the car park on the north-east side of the pond for a 10:00 start (SU 824552, OS Landranger 186).

For further details of these walks, please contact John on 01256 – 414254, or 07719 – 923844; the latter however only on the day of the walk.

South Devon Long Weekend Trip

The proposed itinerary for this is as follows:

Friday 18th February Saturday 19th February Sunday 20th February Morning o 11:00 Meet at Topsham o Local Teign Estuary and o Checkout Reserve walk o Visit Topsham Reserve o Visit Dawlish Warren Reserve

Afternoon o 17:00 Check in at o 13:30 Exe Estuary Cruise o Travel Home Passage House Hotel

Evening o 19:30 Dinner o 19:30 Dinner

For further details, please see Gerry Gardner at an Indoor or Outdoor Meeting, or contact him on 01189 – 700859.

Big Climate Connection

Join the Stop Climate Chaos ‘Big Climate Connection’ on 5 and 6 November by lobbying your MP!

As a leading member of the „Stop Climate Chaos‟* Coalition, the RSPB is supporting the Big Climate Connection on 5–6 November – the next step in the growing movement to stop catastrophic climate changes. The „Stop Climate Chaos‟ coalition are hoping that people from all over the UK will grab this opportunity to take part, and hold their MPs accountable to their promises on climate change.

So, we‟re looking for your help once again to get involved by lobbying your MP! We‟d brief you fully beforehand and ensure you have information on key issues to take with you in order to hold your MP accountable for the promises that have been made previously on climate change.

Please do take part in this vital lobby if you can. For more information and to sign up online, please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/bigclimateconnection.

There are two ways to get involved. You can sign up to be a constituency coordinator or simply attend a lobby event. Constituency coordinators will take an active role, helping to bring interested local people together and organise the lobby meeting. If organising an event is not for you, don‟t worry. Simply sign up to attend your local lobby and a constituency coordinator will be in touch with the arrangements for the meeting. See further down for ‘lobbying demystified’.

This Government has said they want to be the greenest ever – let‟s make sure they really are! We all need to tell our representatives that this Parliament must take the action needed to stop catastrophic climate change. And we need to show them we‟ll hold them to account for what they do.

Background

* The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, who are organising this Lobby, is the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change and limiting its impact on the world’s poorest communities. Their combined supporter base of more than 11 million people spans over 100 organisations (of which the RSPB is one), from environment and development charities to unions, faith, community and women's groups. Together they demand practical action by the UK to keep global warming as far as possible below the 2 degrees danger threshold.

In December 2009, many of you joined tens of thousand of people from across the UK to march for Climate Change justice in „The Wave’ ahead of the Copenhagen climate talks. Many people then „Asked the Climate Question’ to candidates during the 2010 UK General Election.

With an historic new Coalition Government and over 200 new MPs in place, The Big Climate Connection is the perfect opportunity to influence and tell your MP that climate issues matter to you. This event, specific to your constituency, will see local people and groups concerned about climate change, join together and lobby their MPs.

November is a critical time for climate change politics, providing a major opportunity to influence some of the big issues ahead of the UN Climate Talks taking place in Cancun three weeks after the Big Climate Connection – an opportunity to make sure the UK pushes for key policies that will ensure progress is made towards a fair, ambitious and binding local climate deal.

At the time of the lobby a new energy bill will be before Parliament, and by speaking to MPs in November we‟ll be able to influence the bill whilst it is being debated. From the creation of a new Green Investment Bank to the regulation of carbon emissions from coal fired power stations, there are many vital issues to discuss. By highlighting local issues we can show MPs that climate change really is relevant to them. It could be fitting local housing developments with proper insulation or demonstrating how climate change might affect local wildlife populations. Whatever the concern, this will be a great opportunity to get your local MP involved. Lobbying demystified If you‟ve not met your Member of Parliament before to discuss a cause you care about, it may seem something of a daunting prospect.

Lobbying is not a specialist skill pursued only by trained professionals with expert knowledge. On the contrary, as our elected representatives, MPs frequently meet with members of the public about many issues. Given the amount of correspondence received by MPs on a daily basis, most are delighted to meet people face to face, as it is often the most effective way to listen and understand constituent‟s concerns.

Remember, without the votes of their electorate MPs are out of a job, so most MPs are keen to hear and represent your views as constituents.

MPs have to deal with a huge range of issues, so don‟t assume they will know more than you about climate change and its impact on the natural environment. The chances are they will not. Your discussion will touch upon vitally important information, raising the awareness of your elected representative. You truly will be acting as a voice for nature.

It may not be surprise you to hear that most MPs enjoy a good discussion. Whilst serious matters are being discussed, there is no reason for the meeting to be stuffy and formal. Many local lobbies are upbeat, informal and enjoyable exchanges, just remember to keep the conversation on track!

Do sign up and get involved! Thank you for your support!

Letter To The Future

More about ‘Letter to the Future’ and where we are now.

The latest phase of Letter to the Future focuses on the Government‟s comprehensive spending review. The Treasury faces huge decisions on where to make budget cuts and we are doing all we can to influence key decision makers on how nature conservation can be done more efficiently. We know some cuts can't be avoided, but some of our wildlife may never recover if the wrong things are cut. A succession of e-actions have been sent to key decision makers including Chancellor George Osborne and a 'star chamber' of senior politicians who will review proposals for budget cuts. A cumulative total of over 22,000 emails have now been sent by supporters telling these politicians „Don‟t cut the life from our countryside‟. Efforts to collect further signatures for „Letter to the Future‟ have also continued to prove exceedingly successful. We now have 301,776 people supporting the campaign and calling for better investment in nature which is also helping to make our voice heard by politicians. The results of the review will be announced mid-October at which point we will learn the fate of our countryside. Regardless of the outcome we will continue to do all we can to ensure nature is protected. The Letter to the Future campaign remains crucial so please do continue to keep up the good work!

To confirm, our Letter to the Future campaign finishes early Spring 2011, when our target will be to hand-in 500,000 signatures to the Government. I‟m sure you‟ll agree that half a million signatures is a phenomenal amount, and an extremely powerful demonstration of just how important the natural environment is to so many people. We‟ll use these signatures to focus on influencing the Government‟s first full budget in March. Going forward, we‟ll then continue to lobby devolved elections for Wales and Scotland.

Dear Supporter, We have one last chance to influence how the spending cuts will affect our wildlife.

That’s one last chance to secure the funding that supports those who are dedicated to protecting our countryside and the wildlife within it.

We need your help now more than ever. It’s time to tell the Prime Minister 'don't cut the life from our countryside.'

The future of some of our most iconic and precious landscapes, like the Lake District and the Somerset Levels, along with the wildlife that depends on them, is seriously threatened. Without funding they will decline further, and we face losing trilling skylarks and buzzing bumblebees as well as a host of other plants and wildlife that are at the very heart of our countryside and provide experiences that enrich our lives.

This really is our last chance to urge the Prime Minister to speak up for nature and live up to his pledge to lead the 'greenest government ever'.

Please email David Cameron now. Together we can remind him just how precious our wildlife and our landscapes are and urge him to protect them, not just for their own sake, but for the sake of the nation’s wellbeing and so they’ll be there for future generations to enjoy.

It only takes a couple of minutes.

Thanks again for your support!

Martin Harper Letter to the Future Campaign Manager

P.S. We’ll be in touch again at the end of the month to let you know what effect our efforts have had on the spending cuts. Let’s hope they’ve heard our plea and not cut the life out of the countryside.

Newsletter Submissions

As winter approaches, perhaps again all too rapidly, with the excitement of the autumn possibly all but over I am pleased to say thank you to those Members that have continued to submit items for the Newsletter. As always, there‟s room for plenty more, so don‟t feel shy! As has already been noted, you don‟t have to be a literary giant, write page after page, or even be able to spell properly! As they say in the advert “Every little helps”. Winter will soon be upon us, so there ought to be plenty of time on those dark evenings to put pen to paper, digit to key or even call me with your news – I look forward to seeing / hearing about all the things I‟m missing out on!

Bird Food

We are happy to supply any bird food to you at any time, just call on 01256 – 770831, 07895 – 388378 or mail us on [email protected] and we will arrange delivery to you. If you have any requirements that are not listed, please do let us know and we will ensure that they are available when you, or your birds, need them.

Bird Food Pricelist:

The below are examples of just a few of the items that we can supply. Please do enquire after anything else and we will provide you with a cost, time of delivery etc. As both of us are currently working in / about Basingstoke delivery can be expected to be completed within a day of an order being received – can you get that service anywhere else?

Wild bird Mix 30p/lb or 66p/kg Niger £1/lb or £2.20/kg Peanuts 65p/lb or £1.43/kg Fat Squares £1 each Black Sunflowers £1/lb or £2.20/kg Fat Pecker Balls 25p each Sunflower Hearts £1.10/lb or £2.42/kg

Also available are birdboxes, at £6.50, or two for £10, and a range of feeders.

A variety of items will be available at most Indoor Meetings but if there is something „missing‟ that you want, please do let us know.

Peter & Alison

North Wessex Farmland Bird Project (Seeks Keen Volunteer Bird Surveyors for 2011 and Onwards)

An exciting new project on Farmland Birds has recently begun in the Berkshire and Hampshire Downs, and volunteer bird surveyors are being sought to survey farms in the area.

The North Wessex Farmland Bird Project, funded jointly by the RSPB and Natural England, roughly covers the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, with an aim of boosting numbers of farmland bird species. The area holds key populations of nationally declining farmland bird species, such as Corn Bunting, Grey Partridge and Lapwing, so it is important to maintain and increase numbers in this stronghold and help re-populate the surrounding countryside.

Diane Nicolle is North Wessex Downs Farmland Bird Project Officer based at the NWD AONB office in Hungerford, and her role is to work with farmers and land managers in the area, encouraging them to enter or renew environmental stewardship (ES) schemes, choosing the management options that will provide most benefit to farmland birds. These need to provide the ‘Big 3’ – nesting habitat, insects as summer food, and seed as winter food.

As part of the project Diane is working closely with the Volunteer and Farmer Alliance scheme (V&FA), an RSPB initiative where farmers can have 3 or 4 free bird surveys carried out in one year on their farm. The farmer is then sent a laminated map of these results, with information about the birds found on the farm during the surveys.

Andy Hay rspb-images.com

Most farmers are very interested in the wildlife on their land, especially arable birds, and are keen to know more, so they appreciate the map whilst also hopefully gaining a positive impression of the RSPB, birders and nature conservationists in general. This can prove invaluable when Diane is building a new relationship with a farmer and encouraging him or her to choose ES options that provide most benefit for farmland birds and other arable wildlife. The map can also be used to support a farmer’s application to the competitive Higher Level Stewardship scheme, as one of the criteria is having certain species of farmland bird on or near the farm.

Diane is keen to find volunteers living in or near to the North Wessex Downs AONB in Berks, Hants or Oxon who would like to get involved in V&FA by carrying out 3-4 surveys on a farm near their home in 2011 or years thereafter. Volunteers are placed on a list and matched to a local farm if there is one that has asked for a survey to be carried out. This does mean that there is no guarantee that a volunteer will be given a farm to survey straight away, but we try to match people up as soon as a suitable farm and volunteer become available. The surveys are carried out between April and June and results sent to the Regional V&FA Officer who produces the map and sends this and further information back to the farmer.

If you are interested in becoming involved with the V&FA, or would like to know any more about the North Wessex Farmland Bird Project, please contact Diane, overleaf, on 01488 680452, or [email protected].

Volunteer & Farmer Alliance Frequently asked questions

Q Can I claim expenses? A Yes. We will reimburse any expenses you incur whilst volunteering for the RSPB. The main cost is likely to be for travel, and you can claim travel expenses to and from your training session, as well as to and from your survey site. As from June 2008, the rate increased to 23p per mile. Please fill in the expenses form (Appendix 14) and return it to project staff.

Q Can I submit the bird records to the BTO as roving records? A All the birds records are confidential except for the transfer of information that project staff undertake. We would appreciate it if you kept the records confidential.

Q What should I do if the farmer’s children want to go birdwatching with me? A Please do not take the farmer’s children with you while surveying. For your own protection, as well as for theirs, avoid being alone with young people, particularly one- to-one contact, and especially in isolated areas. For further information please read pages 11–14 of the volunteers’ booklet, contained in this pack.

Q How many farms will I be surveying? A Usually you will be matched up with one farm on which you carry out three to four surveys. Every volunteer, or pair of volunteers, will survey a different farm.

Q Will I survey the same farm next year? A No. Every year we have new farms that we plan to survey, so you will not be asked to re-visit the same farm. However, we hope you will want to continue to take part in the project, and we will endeavour to match you up with a different farm next year. This will depend upon a farm in your local area registering for a V&FA survey.

Q What should I do if my circumstances change and I can no longer carry out the surveys? A If you can no longer undertake the survey, please inform project staff as soon as possible. This will enable us to arrange for someone else to carry out the surveys for you, and will prevent any disappointment to the farmer.

Q What should I do if I need parts of my survey map enlarged, or need more survey maps? A Any problems with survey maps should be referred directly to project staff. Problems do occasionally arise if there has been confusion concerning farm boundaries, or over which area is to be surveyed. We will endeavour to provide you with more suitable maps, but will only be able to do this if you tell us that there is a problem.

Q Do I survey areas of woodland within my survey area? A We have informed farmers that woodland will not be included in survey areas. This is because the survey technique used is not suitable for woodland. If your survey area includes woodland, we recommend that you mark on your map any birds seen or heard on the woodland boundaries, but do not enter the wood. Treat small copses similarly by noting down on your map any birds that are clearly present.

Q Do I have to fill in a registration form? A Yes. If you are a new volunteer you should have received and returned your registration form before your training event. It is vital that you fill in the registration form, and return it to project staff. We need the information to know who to contact in the event of an emergency and, without being registered, you will not be covered by the RSPB’s insurance policy. Please contact project staff if you have not filled in a form.

Q What should I do if the farmer is carrying out legal activities that I disagree with? A Whilst involved in project work, you are a representative of the RSPB, so we ask that you do not express (in public) any strong feelings you might have about legal activities, such as trapping and shooting. However, if such activities occur on the farm, and you would rather not re-visit, please explain the situation to project staff (not the farmer) and we will find someone else to carry out the surveys for you. If you see activities which you suspect are illegal, please contact project staff. Do not attempt to confront those involved in any such activity.

Q What should I do if the farmer asks me for farm-specific advice? A You are not expected to give any advice to the farmer, and any questions can be referred to project staff. The RSPB produces many leaflets on a range of issues. If you would like to receive any of these, for your own interest, or to give to the farmer, please contact project staff. Remember that once your surveys are completed the farmer will receive information and advice on farming for wildlife. They will also be given the contact details of professionals who can assist with farm-specific advice, which will influence any conservation management on the farm.

Q Would it be possible to undertake the survey with someone who has more expertise in identifying birds? A If there is a volunteer in the same area as you, and if they are happy to do so, then there is no reason why arrangements cannot be made to survey a farm together. Please let the project staff know as soon as possible if this is the case and they will assist with these arrangements.

Pin Badge Collection Scheme

With the growth of community fundraising being ever more important to the conservation work the RSPB does, the regional Community Fundraising Team are currently advertising for Area Coordinators across the region to assist them to develop the Pin Badge Collection Scheme. So far, they have successfully recruited Area Coordinators in SE Kent, Bexhill, Southampton, NE London and the Isle of Wight, each of whom will manage 10 - 20 pin badge minders in their area.

The team is now targeting NW Berks and Hants, mailing 400 current supporters and members who live in the RG postcode area. Members from the Basingstoke Local Group may receive a letter at the end of October with more details, but for those not ready to take on responsibilities as Area Coordinator, there are opportunities to get involved as Pin Badge Minders in this new scheme. For more information or an application pack please contact Nichola Willett or Mark Phillips on 01273 – 763614.

What’s Happening?

A few of the forthcoming local events that will hopefully help you through the latter part of the autumn and in to the winter:

Hampshire Wildlife Trust

23rd October: Annual General Meeting: 10:30am – 4:30pm. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Annual General Meeting and Presentations in the morning, followed by lunch and guided walks in Pamber Forest in the afternoon. To be held at Queen Mary's College, Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke RG21 3HF. For further details, please contact Sue Telfer on 01489 774410. Donation of £10 per person requested to contribute towards lunch and coach hire. Invitations to this event will be sent to members in September.

26th October: Life in a Hampshire Chalk River. After netting animal life from the River Anton, Richard Osmond will describe some amazing life cycles and interdependence of all the species found. The images of these animals will be projected from their tank onto the screen via a webcam. To be held at the Village Club, Village Street, Goodworth Clatford from 7:30pm (Map ref. SU 362 422). Parking is available at the venue (100 yards south of the Post Office). For further details, please contact Richard Ryder on 01264 363228. Admission £3 adults, £6 family, including refreshments.

4th November: Historic Heathlands at Yateley. Join Keith Blackmore of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, at 2pm, for a gentle walk around the MOD's area of Yateley Common, to try and discover some of the historic secrets of the area. Heathlands abound with history and Yateley Common has more than most. From the A30/B3272 roundabout take Bloomsbury Way and immediately turn right into Woodside. The small car park is on the right (Map ref. SU 843 592). For further details, please contact Keith Blackmore on 01256 381190 or 07770 918372. This walk may be subject to cancellation due to military training so please ring during the week before to check that it is to take place. Well behaved dogs, on leads, are welcome. Suggested donation £1.50.

6th November: Autumn Walk in Pamber Forest: Join reserves officer Graham Dennis in a stroll around this large reserve to see what wildlife is around in November and to enjoy the autumn colours. Meet and park at Pamber Forest Impstone Road parking area for 10am (Map ref. SU 617 621). For further details, please contact Graham on 01189 700155. Suggested donation £1.50.

13th November: Late Autumn Walk: Mike Sharman will lead a late autumn walk. Meet and park at the Calleva Walls car park, Silchester for 10:30am (Map ref. SU 638 628). For further information please contact Mike on 0118 9816104. Suggested donation £2.

Hampshire Ornithological Society

7th November: The Vyne and Morgaston Wood. The meeting commences at 10am from The National Trust car park, of Morgaston Road (SU 638 573). A c.two mile walk finishing at c.noon. For further details, please contact the Group Leader.

28th November: Alresford. The meeting commences at 10am from Broad Street (SU 588 328). A four mile walk, finishing at 1pm, about Alresford Pond and watercress beds. For further details, please contact John Clark on 02380 – 618604.

Local Opportunities for Conservation Volunteering

Are you interested in your local environment? Do you have a passion for conservation and wildlife? If yes, try the following the site to check on what‟s happening locally that you could become involved in. http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/leisure/conservation/conservation.htm

There are opportunities for you as an individual, a family or a social group to join the groups of volunteers already working in the following areas:

Black Dam Ponds and Crabtree Plantation Mill Field Local Nature Reserve Chineham Oakley Cliddesden Old Down, Kempshott Glebe Gardens, Victory Park and King Overton George Vth Playing Fields (Brookvale) Popley Kempshott South View

October’s Outdoor Meeting

th The Isle of Portland: 24 .

 For this outing please meet at the car park at The Bill for a 10:00 start (SY 677 684 – O.S Landranger Map 194). This is at the very southern end of the minor road that runs south from Fortuneswell, through Weston and Southwell.

 For further details of the starting point, to offer or request a lift etc. please contact a Committee Member prior to the weekend of the outing.

The RAC Route Planner gives a distance of 97.33 miles between Basingstoke and the Bird Observatory, the AA site 97.1; a travelling time of 132 and 133 minutes being quoted by these sites. As always, it‟s best to leave ample time to reach the site for the start time, so please do bear this in mind when deciding on when to leave.

 A site visited by many of the Group previously, whether independently, on such a meeting as today, or on one of the longer stays that have been periodically organised by the Group over many years. The latter part of October always provides surprises here, whether you are interested in birds alone, invertebrates, botany or herpetology. If you prefer the solitude of sea-watching, the busier hunt for passage migrants or just a gentle stroll about a coastal headland where Peregrine, auks, late-flowering plants and their accompanying insect life may all be close to hand you will be catered for on this Outing.

The Group will initially head down to the Bill of Portland from where viewing out over The Channel and along both the East and West Cliffs will take place. Out at sea gatherings of fishing Gannet may have collected, Fulmar and auks will be closer inshore and passage species such as waders, wildfowl, gulls, divers and grebes may be seen moving past. Disturbance among the remaining terns may prove to be a bullying skua while low-flying silhouettes farther offshore could be shearwaters.

Swallows and martins may be moving southward while this last stop-off point for many birds could have Wheatear and other chats, warblers, pipits, wagtails and crests about the open grassland or scrubbier patches flanking the cliff edges.

Having had enough sea-air we will move back inland so as to cover the more sheltered environs of the hut fields, their scrub and green-like grass attracting further migrants with Wryneck, Hoopoe and Red-backed Shrike perhaps the most likely of the more unusual species, though, again, warblers may be among the more local resident finches as the forage on / in late fruiting bramble and the thicker, more obscuring scrub.

A glance, or two, over the Obs. Quarry might well add the resident, though often elusive, Little Owl, additional warblers in the vegetation below us and hirundines on the wires overhead.

The Old Lower Light

The richer vegetation about the Obs. Gardens will have been visited earlier in the day and if there is anything worth searching for there permission will have been gained for the Group to access the site. As well as great views being obtained over both the back garden and Channel from here there is always the chance of a migrant or two being seen in the hand, an interesting moth being available from

the previous nights trapping, and, not to be dismissed, a very pleasant and sunny patio to rest upon.

Dragging ourselves away from the comforts of the Obs. we will continue north- east, taking in the roadside vegetation and fields before moving on to Culverwell; an area of lower ground covered in thick scrub that acts as a magnet to such species as Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Ortolan, Melodious Warbler and the more familiar chats, flycatchers, warblers and thrushes. Though late in the season, there are sure to be migrants worth looking for. This also applies to the fields between here and the Upper Admiralty, a haven for mobile larks, pipits, wagtails, finches, buntings, chats, flycatchers and the odd Hoopoe or two.

We can but hope! Late in the year these can also provide much needed feeding areas for both resident and migratory butterflies and day-flying moths; get a day of good weather and you wouldn‟t know it was late October.

Working the hedgerows about the Top Fields will allow for further searching, and finding, of migrants before we head southwards down the West Cliffs back to the start point. The auk populations are most exposed here and luck could allow us to see Puffin as well as the far more frequently recorded Guillemot and Razorbill.

Further, perhaps somewhat more relaxed, sea-watching from here will give further opportunities to pick up the less land-based species as well as Rock Pipit, corvids and chats making the most of the easy pickings not accessible to others about the Thrift-covered cliffs.

 Car parking fees are likely to be in place at The Bill, there being very little other public parking nearby. Also, walking at The Bill though not unduly arduous will however be on unmade „paths‟ at times, so please be aware of this and take the appropriates steps to counteract this, literally!

 The initial walk will be expected to carry us through to early afternoon. After lunch further watching will be carried out, to make the most of the day away from more local sites, as those present wish. Sites on the Isle, at Ferry Bridge and in Weymouth are those most likely to be covered, though this will depend on the weather, birds present, and the enthusiasm shown!

More updated information on the site, the wildlife present and places to visit on the journey home, such as Warmwell Heath, Rimsmoor Pond, Blashford Lakes and The New Forest will be available closer to the day of the trip, and during the outing itself. If you have any queries, no matter what, please ensure that these are addressed as soon as is possible.

November’s Outdoor Meeting

st Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre: 21 .

 For this outing please meet in the Discovery Centre car park for a 10:00 start (SU 506 670 – O.S Landranger Map 174; RG19 3UF). This is off Muddy Way, this being off Lower Way which runs parallel to the A4 / Bath Road.

 For further details of the starting point, to offer or request a lift etc. please contact a Committee Member prior to the weekend of the outing. For further details of the site, activities there, etc. please try

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/t/thatcham/index.aspx

The RAC Route Planner gives a distance of 17.44 miles between Basingstoke and the Centre, the AA site 19; a travelling time of 32 and 36 minutes being quoted by these sites. It would certainly be best to leave at least 45 minutes to reach the site easily from Basingstoke.

 A very local site as we near the end of another year. Though local, the variety of habitats, regular observer coverage and ease of access should ensure a busy time about this reserve that the RSPB, both regionally and our own Group, have had an input to over recent years; come and see how things have progressed.

Leaving the car park, where sketchy woodland and feeders will have attracted the more expected winter visitors such as tits and finches to an easy meal; the weather prior to the meeting perhaps helping to ensure that less regular visitants like Siskin and Lesser Redpoll join these. The ditch running between the car park and Visitor Centre can harbour vocal Grey Wagtail, though Brown Rat are more likely!

The Visitor Centre will be visited, the warmth of this perhaps already being appreciated by the more fragile among us ;-)

Time spent looking over the displays, library, wall-covering images, microscopic samples, the shop and, dare I mention it, the café might just be interrupted by viewing the extensive lake south of the Centre. The latter will have an engaging wildfowl selection to be scanned, both diving and dabbling ducks, geese, gulls, grebes and rails all to be expected, as might be the lingering drake Red-crested Pochard; the latter a particularly vivid splash of colour at this time of year.

Leaving the comfort of the Centre we will cover the edge of the lake and adjacent hedgerows, finches once again possibly frequent as they make the most of the autumnal bounty vegetative reproduction has provided. Both Fieldfare and Redwing may already be obvious, their numbers very much dependent on the weather much further to the north-east.

Mixed feeding flocks pushing though the hedgerows could include Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, though the latter, as always, a real bonus to any outing. Bullfinch „hoot‟ quietly and may show off their striking plumage among the equally brilliant Guelder Rose fruit.

Heading further south we will come across less obvious areas of hidden water, their summer reed warblers now gone, where over-wintering Blackcap and

Chiffchaff compete with Cetti‟s Warbler for invertebrates. These quieter waters are home to other more elusive species, Water Rail being one to look, and listen, for. The flanking reeds encourage Reed Bunting to linger, the males now looking more like their partners, where closer inspection can provide used exuvia of odonata, a variety of other water-borne insects and more familiar families including ladybird, mint beetle, caddis and moth, both adult and larval stages. These provide plentiful food for those birds able to make the most of the reedbeds and careful watching may yet provide more that might be expected.

More open scrub and woodland further into the reserve, linking reedbeds, will hold vocal Jay, further tit, warbler and finch species while both Grey and Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and corvids may be making the most of the easy feeding on the nearby sewage works, especially of we have been hit by cold weather prior to the outing; unlikely I have to say! Looking out over the reeds from the hide or walkways gives clear views of open sky and here gulls will be seen moving to- and-from other areas of open water, primarily gravel pits, as well as raptors, Buzzard the most frequent here but perhaps up to six species possible. The waterside trees also hold roosting Tawny Owl and a disturbance among the smaller passerines may well be worth investigating, just in case they‟ve found one for us to watch.

The canal crossed, or canal path walked along dependent on time, weather, interest etc., we will move to the furthest point from the meeting place, Lower Farm Gravel Pit. Passing by the race course will increase the chances of catching up with game birds, the shorter turf allowing them to be viewed as they forage out on the open sward.

The gravel pit, with a well placed hide, should be full of activity as wintering wildfowl, grebes and gulls vie for place with the more resident Grey Heron, more familiar wildfowl, Little and Great Crested Grebe.

Lapwing may be joined by Golden Plover, also possible on the fields about the walk to the hide, while Green Sandpiper are also likely to be seen among the many gravel islands scattered within the pit. Little Egret are the only other „wader‟ to be anticipated though earlier inclement weather may push others into the area. The pit often attracts something of more note during the early winter and Black-necked Grebe, Yellow- legged Gull, Goosander and Merlin are just a few of the birds that might find themselves being added to the trip „list‟.

Sky-watching here could add Red Kite to the earlier raptors with further gulls moving overhead and perhaps even more hints of the oncoming winter as flocks of lark, finch, bunting and thrush move over.

Returning, via the towpath or a more direct route, will allow us extra time to catch up with that we have only glimpsed along the initial routing, perhaps wintering warblers, the more hard to pin down buntings, Jay, Cetti‟s Warbler, pipits and wagtails all possible as we retrace our steps.

 Please do ensure that you leave enough time to meet the rest of the Group for 10:00, otherwise, please respect the weather conditions; come prepared!

 The walk will be expected to carry us through to early afternoon at the latest.

More updated information on the site, the wildlife present and places to visit on the journey home, such as Greenham and Crookham Commons, Headley Gravel Pit, Ewhurst Lake, the Downs south of Kingsclere, and Overton will be available closer to the day of the trip, and during the outing itself. If you have any queries, no matter what, please ensure that these are addressed as soon as is possible.

September’s Outdoor Meeting

Keyhaven Marshes: 19th.

A total of 10 members met up for this walk around the coastal lagoons and marshes at Keyhaven. The weather was mainly overcast but fine. A few sunny spells helped to combat the strong SW wind, which at times was decidedly chilly. As the first few of us were getting our gear together a Kingfisher shot straight through the carpark – a pretty good start to the day!

We headed up the lane towards the start of the seawall path, obtaining views of the flooded fields over towards Vidle Van Farm. Flocks of Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in the distance whilst nearer at hand were Teal, Mallard and Shelduck. A hunting Sparrowhawk caused panic amongst the local Starlings. Overhead, several Swallows and House Martins were hawking insects.

As we made our way out along the seawall the first of at least 20 Little Egrets put in an appearance. A couple of Rock Pipits were flushed from the seaweed on the shoreline, several Turnstones roosted on a small boat and Curlews and Oystercatchers were out on the saltings.

The bushes and scrub inland of the seawall held a few Linnets and Meadow Pipits, but the strong wind was probably keeping most small birds in cover. Two Common Buzzards were soaring over the distant woods and a Kestrel balanced on top of a small bush. Meanwhile, Simon was scanning the saltmarsh and picked out a Peregrine sitting on a shingle ridge.

We got good views in the telescopes before it took off and headed towards Hurst Castle, flushing waders and wildfowl from the tidal channels.

A few Sandwich Terns were still around, but a lone Brent Goose out on the Solent was a foretaste of winter. We spent some time at Keyhaven Lagoon watching the waders and wildfowl coming and going. A party of Knot and Grey Plovers roosted in the shallow water, whilst a Greenshank, Ringed Plovers and Black-tailed Godwits were at the back of the lagoon with Wigeon and Shoveler. A Grey Heron was standing in the lee of a clump of rushes, trying to stay out of the wind. A Wheatear gave rather distant views as it ran around in the short vegetation, but as we moved on down the seawall a much closer individual was more obliging. A Common Snipe was spotted by some of the party.

Fishtail Lagoon held more of the same waders, with large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits in particular. Several were feeding on the grassy bank, giving very close views. An adult Mediterranean Gull dropped in to join the Black-headed Gulls on the water, enabling us to compare the two species side by side. A large raptor flying over attracted our attention. At first sight it looked like another Common Buzzard, but the flight action was more floppy, the head was slimmer and almost pigeon-like, the tail was slightly longer and the wings had a pinched-in look where they joined the body. It was a Honey Buzzard, and just to confirm things it was actually chased off by a Common Buzzard. The Honey Buzzard headed off towards the Isle of Wight, gliding on flat wings – another difference to its common cousin.

We moved on to the point which overlooks the open water of the Solent hoping for Eider or grebes, but unfortunately without success. However, a Raven flew low

past us and landed on a nearby mudbank. The wind here was very strong so we decided to head inland, passing the eastern end of Fishtail Lagoon and getting more close views of the godwits. Two Ruff were also here, but there was no sign of the reported Little Stint.

The walk along the track at the rear of the marshes was slightly more sheltered and as a result a few birds were seen in the hedges, including a couple of Blackcaps, Goldfinches and Robin.

We arrived back at the cars at 1.15pm for a well-deserved lunchbreak. Some of the group headed home, but the rest of us went for another walk along the seawall past the Hurst Castle ferry landing towards the base of Hurst Spit. No new birds were added to the list and as it was getting quite cold we decided to call it a day at 3.00pm. It had been a good day, with at least 59 species recorded.

Geoff Sharp

Marsh-mellow Birding - Yet More Llanos!

Fortified, after a refreshing lunch under the shade of the gigantic Mango trees, at Hato Pinero in the cattle ranching pains of Venezuela, we headed out into the Llanos again. Along the dirt-track route were verdant marshes, muddy water holes, meandering, muddy-banked, slow streams, wet wallows, where the cattle and water buffalo had churned damp patches in dry pasture and scattered patches of woodland, hedge-like track-side shrubs and mature trees of many varieties. Scarlet Macaws screeched raucously as they flew or clambered for fruit.

We made frequent and always rewarding stops; when birds were sighted or to explore interesting habitat.

By one water-hole, we peered through gaps in the foliage to watch three huge and extraordinary Jabiru Storks. The male strode imperiously about, with his neck inflated so much that it looked as if he‟d swallowed a football. Barbed wire supplied a convenient perch for the imposingly named White-headed Marsh-

tyrant. This was actually a kind of flycatcher but it lived up to its billing: it had a white head and it tyranised another of its species which was also trying to hawk for flies in the marsh-side herbs. A striking little bird but more than matched by the Vermillion Flycatcher sallying from the same wires.

Jabiru White-headed Marsh-tyrant Southern Wattled Jacana

Vermillion Flycatcher

A good start but we had more to see. The next stop was by a grassy, bush-fringed pool. Much of the water was obscured by emergent and floating grasses and on them, spreading the load with remarkably long toes, was a Wattled Jacana, closely followed by a well-grown chick, both turning over grass-blades and other vegetation in search of morsels. The adult was the father. The female leaves the brooding and domestic duties to him, while she attends to territorial matters and finding another mate to raise her next brood.

Our birds worked methodically and soon foraged past a diminutive Striated Heron, standing tall, in Bittern-like stance. Recently split from the Old World Little Green Heron and a complete contrast to the gangly Great Egret perched precariously in nearby bushes. This egret has, I think, been re-classified too and is now “lumped” and regarded as conspecific with Great White Egret. A few metres from it, though was a truly New World heron; a beautiful, blue-faced Black-capped Heron, its wispy crest wafting in the slight breeze. Below them, the head of a rufescent Tiger Heron telescoped up from the grasses on a neck that seemed to just keep on growing. A real bittern, this time. A little further from the water, in the damp pasture, a Limpkin sloped nervously off into cover, looking rather like a shorter- billed ibis. It had probably been looking for the large, rounded Apple Snails, its primary food and for which it uses its‟ specialised curved bill to snip from their shells. All these birds in and around a grassy, wet area in which very little open water was showing and the whole area smaller than the paddling pool in Eastrop Park.

Rufescent Striated Heron Limpkin Tiger Heron

Great Egret Black-capped Heron

Two kinds of ibis probed the margins; four of the commonly seen Bare-faced Ibis and a single Sharp-tailed Ibis; the only one of the tour, a little larger than its‟ relative and with a characteristic tapering tail. Both kinds though had the typical ibis plumage, gleaming with green and purple iridescences as they moved. As we watched their activities, a grey hawk with a broadly barred black and white tail glided in to settle on a bare patch of earth and began to peer under bushes and into tussocks. A couple of times, we saw it reach into crevices with a talon-ed foot. This Crane Hawk was searching for lizards, frogs, large invertebrates, small mammals, bird nests; anything edible and grabbable. Crane Hawks are the South American equivalent of the African Gymnodene or Harrier Hawk. Both seem to have undergone convergent evolution to arrive at a similar long-legged, “double- jointed” solution to the problem of reaching into holes for prey and will often cling acrobatically to trees or banks to do so. A deadly predator but only smaller birds seemed alarmed by it. Amongst the agitated passerines, yellow Cattle Tyrants, looking a little like Yellow Wagtails but related to flycatchers, as was the pair of Social Flycatchers, miniature versions of the Great Kiskadee. From the depths of the scrub emerged the bulky (for a wren) Bi-coloured Wren and a Buff-breasted Wren, both scolding in typical wren fashion. Another bird attracted to the commotion was a chunky Orinocan Saltator, a relative of the Cardinals. This one didn‟t seem overly concerned and began to sing loudly and exuberantly from a high twig. A pair of Saffron Finches, very reminiscent of Canaries flew in and quickly flew off again as we prepared to leave this excellent and productive site. A river-boat “cruise”; a punt down a muddy water-course awaited us and more discoveries, in a very different habitat.

Orinocan Saltator Crane Hawk Saffron Finch

Social Flycatcher

And we weren‟t finished, yet. In the margins probed two kinds of ibis; four of the commonly encountered Bare-faced Ibis and a single Sharp-tailed Ibis, this, the only one seen on the tour.

Doug. Kelson

Local Wildlife News

The following highlights reports over the early autumn. I‟m sure that this misses out on many of the sightings locally, so, if you see anything, please do let us know what has kept your interest turning over as the leaves drop, the winds rise and south-westerlies dampen us.

Araneus quadratus – a stunning spider, if you like that kind of thing, that was found in webs at The Mill Field on several occasions. Berries – huge numbers were obvious, Guelder Rose, Spindle and Sloe being particularly lurid in their autumnal garb. Blackcap – good numbers lingered in to October, some sites still holding a handful of vocal birds. Chiffchaff – many were still present in early October, including singing birds.

Who’s watching who?

Dartford Warbler – the fourth for The Mill Field appeared mid-October, as have all previous birds. Dormouse – two were seen at The Mill Field on 7th; one dropping to the floor from its‟ „nestbox‟ and then using the Group Leaders‟ legs, back and right arm to work its‟ way back high in to a Hazel!

Common Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius The Mill Field LNR, Old Basing Peter E. Hutchins Just look at the size of the thumb nail to get an idea of just how tiny these are!

Garden Warbler – one was still present, albeit elusive, at The Mill Field on 5th. Grey Wagtail – these became ever more obvious with individuals being seen far more frequently away from their expected waterside habitat. Hobby – one moved purposefully east at The Mill Field on 4th. Hornet – these continued to appear in ever-increasing numbers at several sites.

House Martin – birds were still present in early October, particularly as the poorer weather cleared and allowed further passage to take place; this also being the case for Swallow. Jay – these were incredibly obvious in many areas as October got under way, though no groupings were noted. Lesser Redpoll – small numbers were on the move from early October. Migrant Hawker – one was still on the wing at The Mill Field on 5th. Siskin – birds were recorded on the move as October broke; single individuals initially. Pied Flycatcher – a further two birds were seen at The Mill Field in what has been the best autumn there for them, the total noted, to date, being five. Red Admiral / Small Tortoiseshell – these were seen on the wing, regularly, to late September. Red Kite – still, seemingly, the most frequently recorded of local raptors though no reports have yet been received of roost numbers locally. Redwing – the first of the late year was over The Mill Field on 4th, further birds then seen on an almost daily basis. Small Copper – one was in Overton on 2nd. Spotted Flycatcher – the last recorded locally was at The Mill Field on 4th. Teal – numbers at The Vyne approached triple figures by mid-month. Wheatear – three were in a field off Roman Road on 4th. Whinchat – a possible was at Turrill Hill on 14th. Whitethroat – the last recorded locally was at The Mill Field on 4th.

Further afield a Sombre Brocade at Sandy Point was the first for Hampshire, and only the sixth for Britain while a Booted Warbler at Needs Ore was also a first for the county, though only seen by a select few on news of its‟ presence being suppressed.

Thank you to all those that have contributed sightings recently, as always, if I have missed anything, please do let me know and be sure to keep me updated as we head yet further into the autumn. If you find anything you consider particularly notable, please do feel free to contact me at any time. I can assure you that you will always get a favourable response!

Quiz ‘Page’

And for October, to keep you busy on those ever-darkening evenings!

Vagrant warblers are often a highlight of autumnal passage, even thought they are „little brown jobs‟, many being found many thousands of miles from where

they should be. See if you can find out what may be occurring in a hedgerow near you any day now.

1. Superciliaried „sweeper‟ Yellow-browed Warbler 2. Mixed up and expensive Radde’s Warbler 3. Bitter, but not twisted Arctic Warbler 4. This one‟s not allowed in your local! Barred Warbler 5. Was this one flushed? Booted Warbler 6. Rather moist id Hume’s Warbler 7. Short-sighted? Spectacled Warbler 8. The king of South Shields? Eastern Crowned Warbler 9. Crepuscual? Dusky Warbler 10. Olive-like? Greenish Warbler 11. Spear-shaped skulker Lanceolated Warbler 12. Stridulating skulker? Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler 13. A happy piping mechanism Blyth’s Reed Warbler 14. Repetitive Russian? Siberian Chiffchaff 15. Abandoned, less significant? Desert Lesser Whitethroat 16. Rice grower? Paddyfield Warbler 17. Middle montane? Subalpine Warbler 18. Island fish? Sardinian Warbler 19. A mispelt urchin perhaps? Orphean Warbler 20. Stan‟s partner, who‟s somewhat shapely, came without their stray Olivaceous Warbler The two images from last month; did you manage to put a name to them?

Sedge Warbler Red Kite Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Milvus milvus

“This is something I have never even heard of or seen before. This woman lives in a Hummingbird fly zone. As they migrated, about 20 of them were in her yard. She took the little red dish, filled it with sugar water and this is the result.

The woman is Abagail Alfano of Pine, Louisiana - she had been studying them daily and one morning put the cup from the feeder (with water in it) into her hand. Since they had gotten used to her standing by the feeder they came over to her hand.

She says in touching they are as light as a feather. Abagail also said, "If she had known her husband was taking pictures she would have put on makeup.'”